“For that a papal bull would be necessary.” “And how is a papal bull to be obtained?” “It is not for us,” I admitted miserably. “I have been wicked,” she said, her eyes upon the ground, a faint colour stirring in her cheeks. “I have prayed that the usurper might be dispossessed of his rights in me. I have prayed that when the attack was made and revolt was carried into the Citadel of Piacenza, Cosimo d'Anguissola might stand at his usual post beside the Duke and might fall with him. Surely justice demanded it!” she cried out. “God's justice, as well as man's. His act in marrying me was a defilement of one of the holiest of sacraments, and for that he should surely be punished and struck down!” I went upon my knees to her. “Dear love!” I cried. “See, I have you daily in my sight. Let me not be ungrateful for so much.” She took my face in her hands and looked into my eyes, saying no word. Then she leaned forward, and very gently touched my forehead with her lips. “God pity us a little, Agostino,” she murmured, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “The fault is mine--all mine!” I denounced myself. “We are being visited with my sins. When I can take you for my own--if that blessed day should ever dawn--I shall know that I have attained to pardon, that I am cleansed and worthy of you at last.” She rose and I escorted her within; then went to my own chamber to bathe and rest. CHAPTER XIV. THE CITATION We were breaking our fast upon the following morning when Falcone sent word to me by one of the pages that a considerable force was advancing towards us from the south. I rose, somewhat uneasy. Yet I reflected that it was possible that, news of the revolt in Piacenza having reached Parma, this was an army of Pontificals moving thence upon the rebellious city. But in that case, what should they be doing this side of Po? An hour later, from the battlements where we paced side by side--Bianca and I--we were able to estimate this force and we fixed its strength at five score lances. Soon we could make out the device upon their bannerols--a boar's head azure upon an argent field--my own device, that of the Anguissola of Mondolfo; and instantly I knew them for Cosimo's men. On the lower parapet six culverins had been dragged into position under the supervision of Falcone--who was still with us at Pagliano. These pieces stood loaded and manned by the soldiers to whom I had assigned the office of engineers. Thus we waited until the little army came to a halt about a quarter of a mile away, and a trumpeter with a flag of truce rode forward accompanied by a knight armed cap-a-pie, his beaver down. The herald wound a challenge; and it was answered from the postern by a man-at-arms, whereupon the herald delivered his message. “In the name of our Holy Father and Lord, Paul III, we summon Agostino d'Anguissola here to confer with the High and Mighty Cosimo d'Anguissola, Tyrant of Mondolfo and Carmina.”